The effects of gasoline prices that have doubled in just three years will be more evident than ever over the next two years as a parade of more fuel-efficient cars and light trucks reaches American showrooms.

The trend reflects what experts and automakers believe is a permanent change in automotive tastes among Americans stung by $4-plus-a-gallon gasoline while they struggle with rising food prices and declining home values. “I think we’re looking at a permanent shift toward more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Jeff Schuster, executive director of forecasting for the consumer market research firm J.D. Power and Associates. “Not all of it is permanent - some is temporary due to the economic environment.”

After Thursday’s resolution of one of the most aggressive takeover battles seen by corporate Germany in recent times, Daimler, the only European car maker without any big or majority stake holders, emerged as a vulnerable prey.

As a result, speculation mounted that the maker of Mercedes-Benz may spin off its market-leading trucks business as a way to help boost its weak share price, according to a report in Germany’s Manager Magazine, which did not identify its sources.

Chrysler LLC has decided to keep its requirement that all workers take the same two-week summer vacation.

The company told employees by e-mail on Wednesday that the 2009 summer break will take place the weeks of July 13 and 20.

The struggling automaker told workers in March that it would require all of them to take the same two weeks off this year.

A delegation of high-ranking representatives from civil rights, minority, consumer and worker rights advocacy groups, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), were joined today by several dozen activists carrying signs calling for an end to a predatory lending scheme by Daimler/Mercedes Benz and the Port of Long Beach. Noisy protests at the German Embassy in Washington, DC and Mercedes-Benz’ parent company in the Detroit-area culminated with the simultaneous delivery of a report to company and diplomatic officials entitled “Foreclosure on Wheels: Long Beach’s Truck Program Puts Drivers at High Risk for Default.”
In a written statement by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond read at the German Embassy, Bond emphasized that Daimler/Mercedes’ participation in the Long Beach financing scheme may have wide-reaching effects in communities of color that are already struggling economically: “The current sub-prime mortgage debacle illustrates how many institutions profit by enticing minority and low-income borrowers with schemes using too-easy credit to finance purchases with loans they are unable to repay. We ask Daimler’s corporate officials to show their commitment to socially responsible business practices by abandoning this risky, dangerous venture — if not for the sake of Daimler shareholders and their company’s image, then for the sake of the truck drivers and their communities.”

Specific answers to the questions of today, prospects for the world of tomorrow: the commercial-vehicle brands of Daimler AG will be presented more attractively than ever before on four stands at the 2008 International Commercial Vehicle Show. Over 80 vehicles, including numerous world premieres, embody leadership in innovation in terms of safety, environmental compatibility and economic efficiency both in trucks and also in vans, buses, special-purpose vehicles and components. A total of seven hybrid-drive trucks, vans and buses will demonstrate Daimler’s “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative, with which the company is promoting the development of alternative drives for commercial vehicles.

Mahindra & Mahindra on Monday said the company was in dialogue with Chrysler after the US auto company accused it of design infringement. MD Anand Mahindra insisted there was “no infringement” on the part of the Mahindras, though the companies were sorting out an issue related to the design of Mahindra Scoprpio’s front grill design.

You can have your cake and eat it too with the roomy, luxurious Chrysler Aspen SUV gasoline-electric all-wheel-drive hybrid.

Chrysler is late to the hybrid party but brought along two full-size SUV hybrids arguably better than those sold by rival General Motors (GM), even though the companies’ hybrid systems are alike.

After capturing spy shots of the 2010 Mercedes E-Class testing in the California desert last week, spy photographer extraordinaire Rich Truesdell is back, this time bringing you a new look at the 2010 Mercedes CLK. The model is still heavily disguised, wearing about the same amount of camouflage it was a year ago, but the shots still provide a fresh look at how development of the model is coming.

TRAVERSE CITY — Fears of Chrysler LLC’s imminent demise are overblown but the newly private automaker poses risks to the rest of the auto industry with its dramatic changes, a reputable industry analyst said Thursday.
Business partners — from parts makers to dealers — face special risks because of secrecy around Chrysler’s financial status and the [...]

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has a new attraction this year from Mercedes-Benz, official automotive sponsor of the festivities, which was unveiled today to car enthusiasts attending the world renowned event.
Positioned on the third fairway at Pebble Beach, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, a grand display distinguished by its transparent front entrance, provides a striking view of the Pebble Beach course from the interior and more than 20 classic and new vehicles throughout the structure.